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acanthocephalan
[ uh-kan-thuh-sef-uh-luhn ]
noun
- any parasitic worm of the phylum or class Acanthocephala, having a proboscis covered with recurved hooks.
adjective
- belonging or pertaining to the Acanthocephala.
acanthocephalan
/ əˌæθəʊˈɛəə /
noun
- any of the parasitic wormlike invertebrates of the phylum Acanthocephala, the adults of which have a spiny proboscis and live in the intestines of vertebrates
adjective
- of, relating to, or belonging to the Acanthocephala
acanthocephalan
- Any of various, mostly small worms of the phylum Acanthocephala that live parasitically in arthropods as juveniles and in the intestines of vertebrates (especially fish) as adults. Acanthocephalans have a cylindrical, retractile proboscis that has rows of hooked spines and is used for attachment to a host.
- Also called spiny-headed worm
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Word History and Origins
Origin of acanthocephalan1
1905–10; < New Latin Acanthocephal ( a ), neuter plural of acanthocephalus ( acantho-, -cephalous ) + -an
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